Court / Man given £800 fine for behaving aggressively after being denied travel on ferry

A MAN from Dumbarton who shouted and swore at NorthLink staff and struggled violently with police officers after being denied travel on the ferry has been fined £800.

Scott Ferguson, 30, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the ferry terminal in Lerwick and the town’s police station on 30 June last year.

He appeared from custody via videolink at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident occurred at around 5.10pm at the ferry terminal on Holmsgarth Road.

The court heard that staff noticed Ferguson was “heavily intoxicated”.

The end result was that he was not allowed to travel on the ferry south, with his boarding cards taken off him.

Mackenzie said Ferguson began to shout and swear. “This was in front of a number of people waiting to travel, including children,” the court was told.

Police were called but Ferguson ended up struggling violently with two officers. An off-duty officer passing by intervened to assist.

The court heard that Ferguson was taken by van to Lerwick Police Station, but later bit one constable on their leg during a struggle. He also made homophobic comments to officers.

Mackenzie added that Ferguson appeared on a warrant having failed to attend court previously.

Representing himself, Ferguson said he wished to apologise for his behaviour and wanted to draw a line under the matter.

“It’s not the type of person I am,” he said.

In addition to the £800 fine, Ferguson was given a £40 victim surcharge fee to pay.